Short Summary

Moves to break the deadlock between Federal authorities and protesting American Indians occupying the settlement of Wounded Knee are continuing behind the scenes as the siege moves into its third week.

Description

Moves to break the deadlock between Federal authorities and protesting American Indians occupying the settlement of Wounded Knee are continuing behind the scenes as the siege moves into its third week.

Meanwhile, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out as the armed Indians hold out against a government siege force. And conditions have been made worse by fierce blizzards.

The Indians are protesting at conditions on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and alleged mis-management of the reservation affairs by the Oglala-Sioux tribal council.

However, the Interior Department says it won't talk while armed men are illegally occupying the little settlement, although one carload of food and medical supplies was allowed through the blockade on Wednesday night.

SYNOPSIS: Gales and riving snow are adding to the miseries of besiegers and besieged at the tiny United States settlement of Wounded Knee. The township in being held by armed Indians protesting at conditions on the reservation.

By dawn on Friday the weather had cleared, and the hungry Indians had some fresh meat from a bull killed during the night.

But despite the weather, the shortages and medical problems, the Indians say they won't move out until their demands are met. They're demanding removal of the reservation's tribal president, and changes in the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They've been holding out for almost three weeks now.

The Justice Department says it won't make moves to oust the Indians while negotiations are going on. But meantime 350 Federal Marshals and FBI agents are maintaining roadblocks.

And at the settlement the Indians, complete with rifles and machineguns, man their trenches and bunkers around the clock.